WASHINGTON — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie told a sports radio show Thursday that he favored Denver over Seattle in this weekend’s Super Bowl at the MetLife Stadium in his home state.

“I hope it’s a close game,” the Republican governor said, according to The Bergen Record political blog this morning.

His interview was with Angelo Cataldi & The Morning Team on 94 WIP, according to The Record.

Before the interview the sports reporters announced that in order to get Christie on the show, they had to agree to only talk about sports — and none of the other controversies hanging over his administration.

Christie, a Dallas Cowboys fan, said on the show he was proud of his state and hopes the week-long celebration near East Rutherford, New Jersey shows that a cold weather state can successfully host the Super Bowl.

“I’m happy to be the guinea pig and let people see it can work, and by the way why not come to the best place,” he said, according to The Record.

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, a Democrat, was among the 10 governors who spoke on the call, which included two Republicans – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California and Gov. Jodi Rell of Connecticut. Gov. Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, also a Republican, could not make the teleconference but issued a statement in support of the effort.

Rendell said the Republican governors of Georgia and Arizona also had voiced support for the effort.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.